Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Congress approves three-wheelers for DOE funds]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/18/congress-approves-three-wheelers-for-doe-funds/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/18/congress-approves-three-wheelers-for-doe-funds/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/18/congress-approves-three-wheelers-for-doe-funds/#commentsFiled under:

Aptera 2e final design rendering - Click above to enlarge

Following months of debate, Congress has approved a bill that will pave the way for three-wheeled vehicle manufacturers like Aptera to qualify for funding from the Department of Energy. Next step: President Obama's desk, and the Commander-in-Chief is reportedly expected to sign the bill into law in short order. Rep. Brian Bilbray, a Republican from California who co-sponsored the bill, says:
This is a huge win for scientific innovation and the environment. We need more innovation and less regulation when it comes to promoting new ways to save energy while saving money at the pump.
Indeed, three-wheeled vehicle platforms sometimes have the potential to use less energy to operate than their four-wheeled siblings, though some still question the inherent safety of such designs. Assuming the bill passes the President's desk, any manufacturer of enclosed three-wheeled vehicles that can carry at least two adults while returning at least 75 miles per gallon will be eligible for funding, though the DOE will still approve applications on a case-by-case basis.


Gallery: Aptera


[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]

Congress approves three-wheelers for DOE funds originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apterabreakingDepartment of EnergyDepartmentOfEnergydoedoe loandoe loansDoeLoanDoeLoansthree-wheelthree-wheeledthree-wheeled carThree-wheeledCarthree-wheelerSun, 18 Oct 2009 16:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Arcimoto Pulse is the latest tiny three-wheeled electric vehicle to be unveiled]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/28/arcimoto-pulse-is-the-latest-tiny-three-wheeled-electric-vehicle/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/28/arcimoto-pulse-is-the-latest-tiny-three-wheeled-electric-vehicle/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/28/arcimoto-pulse-is-the-latest-tiny-three-wheeled-electric-vehicle/#comments
Arcimoto Pulse- Click above for high-res image gallery

Hey, look! It's another quirky three-wheeled electric vehicle. This time, we're talking about the recently-revealed Arcimoto Pulse, a tandem two-seat electric car that looks something like a Zap Alias that's been through a compressor, or perhaps a Toyota Yaris that's gone through a chef's mandolin.

The company's website says that the trike uses a 96-volt power system and a DC electric motor that puts out 80 ft. lb. torque. The vehicle has a top speed of 55 mph and a range somewhere between 50 and 100 miles (the number has an unexplained asterisk on the company's website). Arcimoto, based in Eugene, Oregon, says the Pulse gets an estimates 190+ mpg, but how they arrived at that number is anyone's guess.

Price? Not set yet, but it will be "under $20,000" and an example of your very own can be reserved with a $500 fee ($450 of which is refundable). The first 300 Pulses are due late next year.


Gallery: Arcimoto Pulse


[Source: Arcimoto]

Continue reading Arcimoto Pulse is the latest tiny three-wheeled electric vehicle to be unveiled

Arcimoto Pulse is the latest tiny three-wheeled electric vehicle to be unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcimotoarcimoto pulseArcimotoPulseelectric carelectric trikeElectricCarElectricTrikeEVthree-wheeledthree-wheelertrikeMon, 28 Sep 2009 17:29:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay Find of the Day: Unusual Kawasaki-powered Sportcycle]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/07/ebay-find-of-the-day-unusual-kawasaki-powered-sportcycle/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/07/ebay-find-of-the-day-unusual-kawasaki-powered-sportcycle/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/07/ebay-find-of-the-day-unusual-kawasaki-powered-sportcycle/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above for more images of the Sportcycle

Cars powered by motorcycle engines and motorcycles powered by car engines... dogs and cats, living together - mass hysteria! Perhaps a more suitable compromise between four- and two-wheeled machines is in order, maybe splitting the difference and going with three wheels instead. From VW-powered trikes to ZX14-engined specials, the three-wheeled platform has seen its fair share of development over the years. One such machine, called the Sportcycle, offers a new twist on the three-wheel platform. It's powered by a Kawasaki ZRX, as in a whole Kawasaki ZRX motorcycle and not just its engine. The entire Kawasaki motorcycle on which the Sportcycle is based has been left completely intact, minus the front wheel and fork. Those have been replaced by the driver's seat and a full front axle sporting two wheels. It's absolutely brilliant in a crazy, maniacal kinda way. One benefit to this peculiar platform is that a second passenger could still ride on the bike's stock seat if you removed that absurd rear wing. The Sportcycle is currently on eBay Motors with a Buy-It-Now price of a little under $15,000, which is about what you'd pay for similar trikes like the the Tri-Magnum and XR3 from Riley Enterprises and the Can Am Spyder, which can also be had brand-new for about 15 grand. Thanks for the tip, Johannas!

Gallery: Kawasaki-powered Sportcycle


[Source: eBay Motors via The Kneeslider]

Continue reading eBay Find of the Day: Unusual Kawasaki-powered Sportcycle

eBay Find of the Day: Unusual Kawasaki-powered Sportcycle originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>reverse trikereverse trikesReverseTrikeReverseTrikessportcyclethree-wheeledthree-wheeled carthree-wheeled motorcycleThree-wheeledCarThree-wheeledMotorcyclethree-wheelerthree-wheelerstriketrikesFri, 07 Nov 2008 17:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Volkswagen's GX3 to be nixed because of legal concerns?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/14/volkswagens-gx3-to-be-nixed-because-of-legal-concerns/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/14/volkswagens-gx3-to-be-nixed-because-of-legal-concerns/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/14/volkswagens-gx3-to-be-nixed-because-of-legal-concerns/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Sadly, Volkswagen looks ready to pull the plug on its GX3 project, which only weeks ago looked set to put the three-wheeled star of this year's L.A. Auto Show in U.S. showrooms by 2007. AutoWeek reports that concerns about U.S. liability laws have driven a stake through the heart of the project, which, although not officially dead, is at best on life-support.

Although the trike would have been classified as a motorcycle, with safety standards vastly different than an automobile's, it sounds like VW lawyers are concerned that the GX3 was just too car-like for (their) comfort.

We really can't blame VW, but we'd sure like to blame somebody... a few staffers are ready to hold a candlelight vigil in hopes that the German automaker will have a change of heart.

[Sources: AutoWeek; Volkswagen]

Volkswagen's GX3 to be nixed because of legal concerns? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 May 2006 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AutoWeekgx-3gx3LegalMotorcycle ClassificationMotorcycle lawMotorcycleClassificationMotorcycleLawproduct liabilityProductLiabilitythree-wheelerTrikeVolkswagenVwSun, 14 May 2006 09:03:00 EST<![CDATA[GX3 prototype caught testing - production imminent?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/16/gx3-prototype-caught-testing-production-imminent/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/16/gx3-prototype-caught-testing-production-imminent/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/16/gx3-prototype-caught-testing-production-imminent/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The VW GX3 was the runaway hit of the rather staid L.A. Auto Show this past January. Volkswagen hinted at the possibly of producing the three-wheeler but, c'mon, we weren't taking them seriously.

It turns out there's been enough positive reaction from the press and public to justify the existence of this road-going test mule caught doing laps at Lotus in England. The rear-wheel drive GX3 would be powered by a 125-hp, 1.6L four-cylinder and weigh as light as a feather. Tipping the scales at next to nothing (relative to its four-wheeled and enclosed counterparts) will produce blasts to 62 mph in 5.7 seconds while returning 44 mpg, though probably not at the same time. All this for the low, low price of 17 large.

If it goes on sale the U.S. has already been chosen as its main market, though VW's cooperation with Lotus, which is owned by the Malaysian company Proton, suggests the GX3 might well be sold the world over.

[Source: Edmunds Inside Line]

GX3 prototype caught testing - production imminent? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Mar 2006 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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